Tampa cruise port guide
Which terminal is yours?
Three cruise terminals along Channelside Drive in downtown Tampa, ships sailing year-round to Mexico, the Caribbean and Key West, and port parking from $19 a night. Here is which terminal is yours, where to park and how to get there from TPA.
Terminals, prices, and schedules checked . How we check
Departure day, in order
- Step 1
Get to the port
Flying in? Tampa International Airport (TPA) is about 9.5 miles away, 15 to 20 minutes by car.
Airport transfer options - Step 2
Park or stay the night before
13 parking options. With a shuttle or a walk to the terminal, 7 days costs $48.23 to $164.99. 11 hotels on our list run a port shuttle.
Compare parking - Step 3
Drop your bags at the terminal
Porters take checked luggage at the curb. Keep medication, documents, and a change of clothes with you.
Find your terminal
Arriving a day early?
Flying in the day before gives you a buffer for delays and a free afternoon in Tampa. Tours, boat trips and attractions there can be booked on Viator.
Things to do in TampaPort Tampa Bay carried a record 1.66 million cruise passengers in 2025, and eight ships from five lines are based here for winter 2026–27. Its three terminals line Channelside Drive on the edge of downtown Tampa, about 15 minutes from Tampa International Airport.
Ships sail all year, mostly 4- to 7-night trips to Cozumel, Key West and the Western Caribbean. Every ship has to fit under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge at the mouth of the bay, so Tampa gets mid-size ships rather than the newest giants.
Cruise lines sailing from Tampa
| Cruise line | Ships | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Enchantment of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas | Cruise Terminal 2 |
| Carnival Cruise Line | Carnival Paradise, Carnival Legend | Cruise Terminal 3 |
| Margaritaville at Sea | Margaritaville at Sea Islander | Cruise Terminal 6 |
| Celebrity Cruises | Celebrity Summit | Cruise Terminal 6 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Gem | Cruise Terminal 6 |
Arrival tips
- Check your boarding pass for your terminal. Royal Caribbean usually uses Terminal 2, Carnival Terminal 3, and Margaritaville, Celebrity and Norwegian Terminal 6, but ships move when the port is busy.
- Prepay port parking online before you go: $19 a night plus an $11.99 fee. It isn't sold on the day of the cruise, and RVs aren't allowed.
- Drop your bags and passengers at the terminal loop first, then park.
- The port has no luggage storage. The Florida Aquarium next to Terminal 2 holds bags free with a discounted ticket, from 9:30 a.m.
- Ships sail under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and up a 40-mile channel, so fog can delay arrivals. Don't book an early flight home.
Common questions
Which Tampa cruise terminal does my ship use?
Royal Caribbean usually sails from Terminal 2, Carnival from Terminal 3, and Margaritaville at Sea, Celebrity and Norwegian from Terminal 6. Ships switch terminals on busy days, so go by your boarding pass.
How far is the Tampa cruise port from the airport?
About 9.5 miles, or 15 to 20 minutes by car. A taxi is a flat $40, according to the airport, and Uber averages about $35.
How much is parking at the Tampa cruise port?
$19 per night plus an $11.99 fee when you prepay on the port's website, so about $145 for a 7-night cruise. Valet is $20 more. Parking isn't sold on the day of the cruise, and RVs aren't allowed.